Purchase very slow, time to look for other houses?

menollyke

Just after some advice. We sold our house early april and the sale went through nicely. We than put an offer in on a property on the 21st of april and it got accepted. (we knew there was no forward chain) Since than we arranged the mortgage, the searches were carried out, an independ survey was done. So all the work on our side is done.

Solicitor is the same as who has done the sale and pretty quick in replying to us, pretty quick in forwarding letters and information. (we get them the same day as he does by email) We have now completed on the sale and moved into the inlaws. We do like our solicitor and do believe he is working for us, rather than against us.

Now the problem starts, our solicitor still hasn't heard back from the initial queries raised back early may. Not heard one single bit. We have started chasing the estate agents who in turn have been in contact with the seller who has told them that she is ready to go and doesn't know anything about a hold up.

We get pretty fed up, over 5 weeks have gone by and not a response to the initial queries. We have started looking around again. Found two possible three lovely property's who fit the bill or will fit the bill after some TLC. However one is with the same estate agents as the first house, will that cause a problem if we do persue that one? It is kinda my favorite

Not sure where I am going with this. I still like the house we are buying, although fed up with the process. Not sure if I want to wait another few weeks with no news. Is it worth persuing other properties? should we wait patiently for the first house? If persuing other properties, would you explain the situation?

jc808

No, infact it might make the EA kick the vendor up the !!!! into gear, if you do id go for it

Gonzo33

I would be tempted to tell the EA that if the vendors solicitors do not get back to your solicitor with the answers to the initial queries that you will be withdrawing your offer. Maybe give them a week to get it sorted. A month is far too long imo.

AMO

They should have got back to you. It's odd that they have no forward chain and yet they didn't get back to you. I would definately consider looking elsewhere at the same time.

You said your original sale went through okay. Are you with parents or something?

mark5

AMO wrote: »

You said your original sale went through okay. Are you with parents or something?

Op says they are staying with the inlaws.

Thrugelmir

What's the reason for no chain?

menollyke

From what we have been told: couple that used to live there split up, both have moved on to a different house, house is now for sale, both parties want it sold asap, neither do need the sale money to move on. We have spoken to estate agents several times, they keep saying it is solicitor. We were patient up untill our house sold, because for us it is better to do one move after the other. The next house needs a bit of tlc before moving in. However tomorrow is six weeks after accepting the offer and no answer yet to initial queries. We got through the fixtures and fittings after three weeks, but since solicitor is just waiting and chasing.

Thrugelmir

menollyke wrote: »

couple that used to live there split up,

Therein most likely lies the issue. As the division of (or even lack of) the equity in the house is the discussion point.

penguingirl

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Therein most likely lies the issue. As the division of (or even lack of) the equity in the house is the discussion point.

We had this issue when we bought our house and I sympathise as for us it was a complete nightmare. Ours had a happy ending, but it wasn't without a 3 month delay, a lot tears, offering on another property and withdrawing our offer etc. It got to the ridiculous stage of us telling them they had 24 hours to exchange (they took 48...).

I would be firm with the EA and say that you expect the vendors to chase their solicitors otherwise you are likely to start looking elsewhere.

The other issue is the new houses you've spotted. Are any of them actually better than the house you're got on offer on? If they are have a look- you're vendor shouldn't be surprised you are starting to look elsewhere. We had to think about what we wanted quite a lot when we ended up in the position with 2 accepted offers (oops!), but decided the original house was still the better one (and 2.5 years later I know we were right)

menollyke

The other houses could be better, but need a lot of work to it to get it up to standards. Main part of the move is traffic and commuting times, which are cut down a lot for oh, for me however it will be the same because it is the same distance and I am riding a bike. The other two houses we have seen that are on the maybe pile are closer for me to commute and easier for childcare arrangements, but the house is smaller, the location isn't as good and the commute for oh would be the same because he would still be stuck in some of the traffic. However the houses are quite a bit cheaper.

In the memorandum of sale it only mentions mrs name as the vendor, not both names. I was under the impression the house was in her name, not sure where it came from but it was something the estate agents told. Would it mention both names if they were joint owners? On the fittings list it did look like two signatures. But when talking to the estate agent they only seem to be talking to her.

It is not so much that it is taking it's time, I can deal with a lengthy process, as long as their is some progress made each week. Even if it is just emails or letters going from one solicitor to the other. However not hearing anything for almost six weeks is making me a bit worried. I just wish for some progress in the whole thing. Maybe we should really go see the other two houses next weekend when we both have the time, it does give the vendors three days to get something sorted and some progress to be made.

jozbo

If another place comes up, see it if you think it could beat the place you're currently purchasing.
Otherwise the hold up is just inconvenience but not end of world as you say you're not in a big rush?
We are buying a place off divorcees, really hope we don't get these sorts of hold ups as we are keen to move quickly due to new job starting.